Mara limped away from the burning woods, her head pounding fiercely. She had to get back to Mother fast. Maybe she was right. Maybe sleep is the only thing keeping my conditions at bay. She glanced down at the blue pad shining in her hand and smiled weakly. At least I won't return empty-handed like … Continue reading Into the Woods… (Off the Grid Part 13)

The pit in Athena's stomach sank even deeper as Jess attacked first. Every time Jess attacked first in practice, Athena always won. No, she's attempting more advanced Snake form than she can handle. This is not good. Although lowered, Athena tightened the grip on her gun, ready to save the kid in a moment's notice. … Continue reading Back From the Dead (Off the Grid Part 12)

Hours later, Mara observed the group of Virals picking their way out of the many dangers of the Unknown Woods. She glanced up at the sky. The sun had long since set. She drew a dagger from her thigh, the metallic ring barely audible. Her assignment would be harder than most, but as of yet, … Continue reading Snake and Shard (Off the Grid Part 11)

Mara's earliest memory was her mother, Kaitlynn, waking her up. The folds of deep, forgettable slumber dripped off of her wiry muscles like water in a Pixelstorm, and she felt her adrenaline pumping through her veins. "Who's my target?" Mara asked. "A group of Virals who call themselves the Resurgents," Kaitlynn. "Objective: terminate." Mara shrugged … Continue reading Mara (Off the Grid Part 10)

Kaitlynn's earpiece crackled to life. "We've tracked the Virals to the Unknowns." She smirked, glancing at her twin brother, Calvin. "We've got a lead." "Ask him where," Calvin demanded. "These Virals are a jolt in my side." "So serious," Kaitlynn jeered. She pressed a button on her earpiece. "Status report, Agent Manen." Agent Manen cleared … Continue reading Tension and Secrets (Off the Grid Part 9)

Athena lay shivering on the ground, clutching her right shoulder. Cooper knelt at her side, testing her vitals. Gavin restrained a hysterical Jess from leaving. "Not good." Seth surveyed Athena's gray pallor and knelt at her side. "Evan, get me the diodes inside the I-Beam's Trace-47 cell. Wires attached. Hurry!" "NO!" Jess screamed. "I won't … Continue reading PolyMorphic (Off the Grid Part 8)

Jess shoved aside the broken metal door to the crash room. "Who's alive?" Gavin groaned, rubbing his head. "Me." He sat up and winced. "Pain. I'm in so much pain..." Evan fingered a sore elbow. "Where's your best pilot?" he muttered. Jess rolled her eyes. "Athena would cream you at any race." "She means that," … Continue reading Intel (Off the Grid Part 7)

"Faster, Athena!" Seth ordered. "I'm trying!" Athena retorted. "This is all we got in this old girl." Another volley of bullets pelted the cyber shields. Odd, triangular ships zipped by the windows, releasing torrent after torrent of ammunition on the ancient cursor. The I-Beam responded back with fire of its own. Gavin swiveled in the … Continue reading Spiral Descent (Off the Grid Part 6)

"We can't trust him!" Gavin boomed, slamming his fist on the table in the crew's quarters. "He's worked for the enemy for far too long!" "But that's why we need him!" Jess retorted. "He knows the inner workings of the Board better than anyone. Trace the Keystroke back to the Key, and back to the … Continue reading Operation: Keylogger (Off the Grid Part 5)

Ringing. Shrill, incessant ringing. Evan's vision blurred and smudged as he struggled to pull himself off the pavement. Groaning with pain, he grasped his head, willing his ears to stop ringing. Several people were shouting all around him. Lights swept over the alleyway and the adjacent plaza square. Bullets ricocheted off the walls, and metal … Continue reading Going Viral (Off the Grid Part 4)